Into a Rising Wind

[handsofwinter]

Winter holds the Nexus in its jaws, and its teeth sink ever deeper.

A month into the storm, the snow has yet to stop falling. The number of mouths to be fed has stopped dwindling, almost. Occasionally people go missing, and those who notice hope they’ve found a way back through their portals. It’s not enough to change the maths on their food supplies - all their supplies. Nobody is getting a full meal at a time, not any more. Isidor and Lyall have begun to enforce the rationing with iron hands. Both ignore the look that crosses Captain Kirk’s face when they upbraid a volunteer cook for being too generous – the look that lingers on Runa’s face if she’s close enough to hear. They’re doing what they must. They need a tight hold on their supplies if they want to get people through this. They need supplies even to send expeditions after more.

And expeditions are a difficult prospect now. Those who ventured into the storm and returned have brought stories that spread faster than Isidor hoped. The Crossroads Cafe has become a semi-official hub for those travelling outside or keeping watch on the bounds, a safe resting place kept warm by the combined power of Pokemon and Persona. In the long dark nights, people sit around the tables and share what they've seen, what they've heard from this scout or that refugee. Whispered tales of the creatures out there hunting in packs, hounding people from rooftops, even tearing open walls to reach them…

No-one goes out alone, now. Those brave enough to take the risk go in groups and arm themselves with the best weapons they can find. Sometimes they’re a risk to themselves. Not everyone knows how to handle that black market plasma pistol they picked up two days past. Not all of their team-mates keep their nerve when a figure looms out of the snows beside them. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s run afoul of monsters, and who of their own folly. Safer, but little less brave, are the people recruited to keep watch on that shifting line of torches. Just a precaution. The creatures don’t come past it, everyone says. But quietly, everyone doubts.

There've been bright moments, too. A strange alchemist comforting a lost child. An expedition team fighting their way home, back to back. Families brought safely through the snow by soldiers and wizards, by heroes young and old and sometimes surprising. A volunteer cook stepping up to prepare, if not quite a hundred thousand meals, then something that feels close. A young man saving the life of a stranger who'd threatened him. The past weeks have seen people who may never have known one another before come together to offer a blanket, or guiding words, or a helping hand in a search. Small moments, glowing reminders of how much good the people of the Nexus have on their side. But the Winter goes on, and the winds never get less bitter, and the smiles get more strained with every day.

Slowly the line of torches close on the Plaza, a noose no-one can afford to flee. Sheltered space is at a premium. Most of those who remain are settled as close to the centre as they can be. Whether in the big public bunker or the Cafe, people find themselves crammed all together, and tempers regularly fray among residents not too cold and exhausted for fighting. The more responsible Nexus-goers find themselves trying to duck out of (or break up) fights, or spending hours stuffing drafty accommodation with any insulation they can find. There’s snow to be shoveled from doors, pipes to be defrosted, bandages to be changed. Anything’s better than dealing with the problem of working bathrooms.

At one end of the Plaza headquarters, a makeshift screen has been dragged into place to give a semblance of privacy to Isidor’s desk. It’s painfully early in the morning, though the nights are so long and the days so dim beneath the storm clouds there’s little sense of time any more. There’s no-one around yet to wonder about the meeting going on. The only people present are Isidor, Lyall and a handful of senior volunteers – those who remain. Blaze-37 crouches by a makeshift fireplace, stacking the salvaged wood just right before she punches it lightly, setting it alight with the flames that ripple over her fist. The other robot, Ghost, is hovering over the desk playing flashlight for them, shining a pale beam over the maps and reports laid out there. Light, too, is a precious resource, as batteries die and outlets are lost to encroaching Winter. It’s the only reason those here have gotten sleep. They work until they have no light to work by.

“Shouldn’t we wait for Suou?” the Guardian asks when Isidor says they can begin.

“Officer Suou won’t be coming.”

That’s part of why they’re here, Isidor explains. The torches’ march has taken them past the Grand Library. The Crossroads Café is now on the very edge of the safe zone, along with all the people sheltering there. Katsuya’s magic is the only thing that will protect it. He can’t leave. It’s a turning point that only drives home the larger problem: they’re running out of time. They’re running out of everything. Most refugees are in some kind of shelter by now; what they lack is food to keep them alive and fuel to keep them warm. Isidor’s volunteers have counted heads and counted tins and counted everything backwards and forwards and the numbers never get better. Either they do something now, while they have the strength, or the meals will run dry in two weeks. Less, if anything goes wrong.

She lets that sink in. Nobody looks surprised: she’s confirming their worst suspicions and that gets a few flinches, but they understand. They talk, instead. By the time there’s a hint of daylight outside and someone knocks on the door for the first shot at rations, they have a plan. They need an expedition, bigger than any before. They need enough arms to discourage attack, the skills to get them to any buried supplies and the numbers to haul them back in quantity. Each of them walks away from the table with a mission in mind and an air of grim determination.

They have a job to do, and they’re going to need help.

((As before, so below: the main missions/subquests for the expedition prep are listed below. Tag any of them, threadhop, or post with your own character. I suggest putting your character’s name in the subject to help keep things clear. The OOC Post can be found here! If you have any questions, feel free to message me or one of the mods!))

Threads of Note

Scouting the Expedition | A Fistful of Torches | Scrapyard Sweep | The Home Front | Medical Attention | Isidor's Expedition Call | Main Expedition: The Raid

Comments

❅ Isidor calling for volunteers for the Main Expedition

[heirtothedragonsfire]

There’s been no shortage of things to get done. Even when it seems like everything is finding some level of calm, something happens to spur them all into action again. At least this time it’s for a good reason. When people sit around they become listless, unhappy and impatient. Now, finally, they have a chance to do something productive with the potential for a real reward.

The last of the missions are barely home. Helpers and organisers spread the word for the able bodied to come to the Plaza for an announcement. The crowd is impressive, considering all they’ve had to do to survive. Isidor surveys them all from a small makeshift platform. Like so many others, her cheeks have shallowed and gives her stern, piercing stare an extra sharpness. She keeps her chin up, but pulls her furs closer around her shoulders. It’s a cold place, above the crowd, but they all need to hear what she has to say, as much as she needs to say it.

Eventually those trickling in come to a stop. Thankfully the wind isn’t howling badly today, so her voice can carry across the sea of people. “Everyone! Listen up! Our scouts have come back with the location of a cache of food.”

She waits for the murmur to run through the crowd before she continues, “Everyone has done their part and worked hard so we can all get through this. We have all worked as a team, together, to survive this so far. I know you’re all hungry, and tired. We all are. So I know you all understand how much we need this.” She pauses to scan the faces around her. “We are so close to getting through this! And we have done so well!”

“I won’t pretend there aren’t risks.” With a deep breath she straightens and lifts her chin. “The weather is dangerous enough, but there are people beyond the boundaries who will attack those they meet. We need that cache, but only you can decide whether you’re willing to take the risk. Those who are willing and able, I’d ask that you come to me to volunteer. The team that goes will have to be able to get to the cache and bring it home. It won’t be easy, but our survival depends on it.” Isidor waits a second before finally saying, “Thank you, everyone.”

With that she steps down into the small perimeter of security around her as Lyall tries to organise the crowd. Volunteers are organised into a vague line, while those who desperately want to avoid the duty are allowed to leave. It’s a mess, but Isidor waits patiently at a desk with an impenetrable air of calm. The tall, brooding Exo standing by her shoulder almost certainly helps with that. As the next person approaches the desk she raises an eyebrow and asks, “Do you have any questions?”

((This is a completely optional thread FAQ/CR thread in preparation for the Main Expedition. So no rush to reply!))

[readvondaniken]

"Count me in."

A lanky mechanic comes forward, pistol holstered to his belt. Palmer, a normally laid-back stoner, is uncharacteristically cold and fierce-looking.

"Those creatures out there - they tried to kill me. I tried to talk with them, they showed they understood, and kept tryin' to kill us anyway. Looks like all they understand is force. They're gonna get it." He lowers his head, a hand on his gun. "I'm here for two reasons. First, I wanna get back at those critters for attacking us unprovoked. Second, if I can I wanna learn why. Do we have any idea what they've got against us or what they want?"

[rekindledtitan]

"They're pirates." Blaze's voice cuts over the background chatter before Isidor can even look to her on this. The Exo's glowing eyes are narrowed, her arms folded grimly. There's a simmering anger to her posture, beneath her voice, but it's not directed at Palmer. Far from it. "Murderers and thieves. They've terrorized humanity and hunted refugees on my Earth for more than a thousand years."

[readvondaniken]

"Pirates, huh? Well, that explains why they weren't interested in talking. Figured they were a buncha jerks after that, though I can't imagine how they got over here. In any case, you've got my help in fighting them. Can't be any worse than the Thing."

It sounds cocky, but Palmer's sincere. The worst these creatures could do is kill him.

"Buncha cowards, going after people who can't fight back."

[outpostcook]

Kinner steps forward. He's a little healthier-looking than some, thanks to his personal store, but he isn't about to admit to that with so many people around. The incident with Lawrence and Anna is still fresh in the back of his mind.

"Howdy there - the name's Joseph Kinner, formerly of the 1938 Secondary Magnetic Expedition. I'd like to volunteer my services for the expedition you're planning. What's the information on the enemy? I haven't actually seen them..."

[rekindledtitan]

"Broadly humanoid." Blaze speaks up first, like she's been holding in the words along with her anger. "Minimum of human height; the smallest ones have two arms, the bigger ones have four. They operate in co-ordinated small units with a mix of close-quarters and long-range specialists. Typical armament for the foot soldiers includes grenades, shock daggers and swords as well as small arms and long rifles. They're ruthless, experienced in fighting humans, and they have highly advanced technology. Including mechanical support units. Drone robots, I mean."

[outpostcook]

"Humanoid...yeah, that matches up with the description I've been given. So these are sapient beings, I'm guessing, smart enough to be dangerous but beyond reasoning with. Reynard's gone all out this year, assuming he's the one who let these things in." Kinner wouldn't put that beyond Reynard - even though he doesn't go all-out with the accusations just yet. He's very, very suspicious, however. "Didn't know about the robots, though. In any case, I think you'll need somebody to watch the food. I reckon I can do that for you."

[alittlehinky]

"I wanna help," says the disabled kid who looks like death warmed over. He looks like the poster child for malnutrition right now, and he's using both braces and cane at the moment, but he also looks very serious and determined.

"But I know I ain't going anywhere fast, either. Not on these legs. There's gotta be something I can do, though, ain't there? Watch the perimeter in case the expedition's gotta retreat fast? I can shoot. Could provide cover fire or somethin'."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Cricket is very much 'the twig man' in Isidor's mind. Even moreso at the state of him now. Nobody around them is looking much better, but the young man looks like determination is the only thing keeping him standing.

"We can always use lookouts. The earlier we know of their return, the quicker we can prepare to greet them. Lighting a beacon in time could save a life if they get into trouble." She opens her hands and then refolds them. "In the meantime, making sure everything is in order for their send off and eventual return is helpful enough."

[alittlehinky]

He's not real thrilled by the state of his body right now, but otherwise 'the twig man' isn't an entirely bad nickname.

As soon as she speaks, something in the set of his jaw and the glare of his eyes eases up. He was afraid he was going to have to fight for it, but actually he probably should have known better. Isidor, from what he's seen, has very much been encouraging people to do whatever they can, regardless of strength and energy they have to spare.

"Ain't nothin' wrong with my eyes," he says with a small smile. "Promise you that. I'd like that. And yeah, I'll help pack, too. I reckon Kinner can show me how to do it. He's got experience."

[eumenis]

Furiosa, Our Lady of Perpetual Bitchface, is quick to fall into the line. She's as hungry and worn as anyone else, really, but she's way more used to it than most, so until her kidneys start failing she's more or less ignoring it.

"But yes. If you have any idea of the numbers we're facing and the layout of their camp, I'd like to hear it before anyone leaves for the attack."

"Doesn't have to be right now. I know you have plenty on your plate. Just at your earliest convenience. Either way, I'm in."

[smartass_captain]

Furiosa's there from the start of the gathering, so she'll be able to see Jim Kirk show up late with his notes to hand looking like death warmed over but with as much fire and steel in his gaze as he can muster. He's got more experience with this kind of situation than most anyone aside from Furiosa but pushing himself harder to help others is starting to run the captain to his limits.

He's exhausted and it's starting to show in more than just the leanness of his face. It shows in the leaden weight his every move is beginning to take, in the way he stares for seconds longer than he should have to before he processes what's being said and gathers up his notes.

"I've got a rough map of the camp here, as well as notes from our preliminary scouts, both of whom will be coming with us for the expedition." Kirk gestures for Furiosa to join him on the other side of the table so he can show her his notes.

[eumenis]

She takes an extra half a second to look into Kirk's face, and what she sees there is anything but unfamiliar. Everything out here hurts. The world exists to be fought, in Furiosa's mind. Survival has to be dragged out from between the teeth of despair, and the fight wears on you after a while.

Happens to everyone. Sometimes it hits the best people hardest.

She circles around the table obligingly and puts her right hand on his shoulder, leaning over to look at the notes and the map. Offering any kind of verbal reassurance, she assumes, would insult or irritate him. (It would if it were her.) But she's here.

"Piece of cake, then," she says mildly, voice tinged with sarcastic cheer. "They won't know what hit 'em."

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley is one of the few in the crowd that doesn't look worn down. Or angry. Or upset. Or tired. She stays near the back, arms crossed as she listens to Isidor explain the situation.

And frowns for a moment. Now what was the point of getting everyone's hopes up? Doesn't the lady know that everyone is close to a breaking point. And if they go and give everyone such grandiose hope like this... what happens if for some reason the mission is unsuccessful?

She also wonders about which scouts had found the food. Wonders why they were so damn fortunate. Wonders how much of the food was taken for the scouts first...

When a small line forms, Harley positions herself nearby the table, close enough to listen as others volunteer. And listen to their questions.

One thing is for certain... she is going to do everything she can to make this mission successful. But for now, she feels she would learn more by listening to everyone else before she approaches the head of the line.

[rekindledtitan]

The initial rush of people with offers or questions is pretty thick. Isidor handles most of it. It's only when people ask questions about the enemy that Blaze is compelled to speak up. The rest of the time she listens and broods. Ghost ventures over to help Kirk with his maps. It's only when the press of waiting volunteers begins to ease that the Guardian notices a familiar face nearby. One who hasn't moved in a while.

"Hey there. Quinn, right? Something on your mind?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"A lot." Harley gives Blaze a brief smile. She has been listening and watching the others, as they had gone to speak to Isidor. She overheard the information provided to Kinner and Palmer about the creatures, and how Blaze feels they are here because they followed her.

"When I served with the Suicide Squad... we would get missions briefs. And the information provided was pretty basic... only what Waller felt we could handle. And there was always something kept from the people who were going on the mission. Something that usually turned out to be pretty damn important." Harley twirls to face the Blaze. "And I can't help but think that vital information is being left out about this mission."

"Ms Durant and Captain Kirk are used to leading lots of people. Which means they are also used to only providing certain information to certain people. Normally, they have the luxury of knowing which of their officers are skilled in what. And can apply the information appropriately."

"But for this mission... not a lot of the people who volunteered have been in situations like this before. We are a ragtag team that has to work together, and doesn't have a lot of time to train together, before we have to head out."

"So I get the feeling that there is details that we ain't being told. And maybe it is because Ms Durant and Captain Kirk don't know if they can trust anybody else with that information... but it is our butts that are going to be out there."

"And there are a few who are heading into this pissed off. Which means as much as they are being told this is not about revenge... I betcha any of them are looking to right the wrongs against them. But are they truly ready for that? To get blood on their hands? To kill?"

Harley stares away for a moment. "And is there a plan to even protect the team when they come back to camp with the food? People are awfully hungry right now. There have been fights over the rations already. Are we prepared to have to fight our own people, so they don't get overzealous at the sight of us returning to camp?"

[brother_alone]

The last few days have upended the base's near routine. Not all of the news has been bad but things are still far from stable with folks missing and others injured. Food's nearly gone which leaves a distracting persistent pain clawing from the inside that Joshua wishes so badly he hadn't ever experienced before.

The only reason he sleeps anymore is because he's too weak not to. The shadows underneath his eyes are more prominent now as he stands off to the side with his gear already on to keep himself as warm as possible. There's no volunteering; Josh knows he's expected to go with. Cricket's been a huge help keeping his speeder tuned up even when he's been too exhausted to focus properly.

"Do we know if Kirk's coming...?" He doesn't raise his voice when he asks.

[lovesuwithknives]

"No questions," Azwel says. "I'd simply be remiss if I didn't aid in the fighting, at least, so I think I'll join your expedition."

He's grown leaner, his features even sharper, and that same forced, crackling energy surrounds him. He scarcely removes his gauntlets these days, and it's almost as though he's relying on their magick to keep himself standing, just in case sheer bloody-mindedness somehow fails him.

He doesn't want to go back out into that wind, but he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't try.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Isidor isn't about to turn away able bodied volunteers, but the sight of Azwel standing through sheer stubbornness alone gives her pause. Her eyes slide to one side as she takes in those who might be overhearing, then casually shifts herself forward in her seat and lowers her voice as she focuses on Azwel once more.

"There will be some training and you will have to demonstrate your ability before the team can rely on you out there. Do you think you can do that?"

[lovesuwithknives]

It's kept him upright for years at a time, so he figures it'll continue to serve him in good stead. He comes from a long line of stubborn people.

He gives a smile thoroughly intended to be friendly--whether it succeeds in looking the part is another question entirely--and answers in an casual manner. "Certainly. Also, you could ask the rest of the beacon expedition what they think," he shrugs, his eyes cutting to Blaze for a moment.

[smartass_captain]

Isidor's already started by the time Jim Kirk shows up at her side on the platform, his hair a mess and shadows heavy underneath his eyes, but ready with his notebook and makeshift map already sketched out on the sheet he's flipped to from the scouting report his people brought back. It's entirely his fault he's late but Felix was missing (no doubt working on his rituals to get information about the storm again) so no one woke Jim up from his exhausted rest.

Normally he's a light sleeper but lately he's been passing out more and more frequently and for longer. His energy is dwindling. He waits while Isidor finishes her speech and nods to her when she steps down before following her to the desk she's set up.

"I've got all the maps and notes right here." A beat before he sighs. "Sorry I'm late."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

The captain's absence added a strain on Isidor that she didn't notice until her shoulders relax at the sight of him. She's come to rely on him more than she'd ever have expected these past few months. It didn't seem right to start the speech without him, but they're on a schedule with a serious deadline.

"Don't worry." Isidor eyes the crowd around them. "All your starts now."

More warmly she explains, "Some of the volunteers are looking for more details about the specifics. Try not to overwhelm them with information. We'll be doing a briefing, after all, and we'd all rather not make you repeat yourself over and over."

[smartass_captain]

Jim quirks his lips in the faintest beginnings of a smile when Isidor acknowledges him but there's no real reason to be smiling much these days so that's as far as it goes. Isidor has needed a lot of things ever since last year and this time it's not a friend she's needed. It's experience. The experience of Tarsus IV and everything Jim's committed himself to do to survive. Every time they re-evaluated the rations he was there to suggest alternate food sources. Work-arounds and non toxic fillers they could use to help stave off the hunger even if it lacked nutrients.

It's worked until now.

They're down to their last dregs now. This expedition is their last hope. Captain Kirk nods as he's laying out his notes and maps.

"I can give a brief recap of my scouts' reports. Fuck knows I've given it enough times to you, to Blaze, to everyone else who's shown up. I've got folks organizing packs and getting what gear and supplies we've got left allocated. Blaze and I can lead the expedition. Let her focus on the combat when it happens and I'll worry about getting to the supplies and out."

[conjuredskies]

Felix doesn't appear for a while. Jim might not notice the time go, so busy is he co-ordinating volunteers and planning a training schedule and cross-referencing supply lists. Harley's come in with salvaged parts that make proper vehicles a serious possibility. Blaze's team have come in with an actual ID on their opponents. There's so much to discuss, to figure out, to do.

The conjurer has to push his way through all the activity. He's been better about resting than Jim and far better about eating everything he's allowed to. He needs it. Nonetheless, like most here, the Imperial is looking a little thin, a little shadowed around the eyes. Beneath his snow-dampened fur cloak he's wearing his leather armor, a hood draped around his shoulders, and his satchel is slung at his side.

If he's tucking the remains of a parchment scroll into it, nobody has time to notice.

Jim is easy to find. He just heads for the center of activity and slips up by the captain's side. Felix folds his arms, glancing around those assembled. Isidor's usual helpers keep going back and forth; some of the more memorable ones are clearly off on other business right now, though the woman herself is ever at her post. "Everything going well...?"

[smartass_captain]

The constant buzz of activity, of tasks that come in to be assigned and completed in preparation for an expedition of this size, have kept all of the leaders present at the moment busy. Ghost has a scan of the maps Jim's made to overlay the more official maps they've been using to coordinate expeditions and scouting routes up until now to zero in on the exact location of the site. Isidor and Jim have been organizing the volunteers, drafting up timelines, organizing equipment. It doesn't seem to stop.

Truthfully, Jim's already tired again. He'd been asleep before the summons started but already the buzzing is back in the back of his head. His hands haven't left the table he's leaning on. It's supporting him as much as his feet are right now. There's no time for a break though, for a meal. What little there is left to eat. The captain startles at Felix's approach, so focused is he on his own duties.

"As well as it can." With Felix Jim doesn't have to try to sound strong or in charge, but behind that facade is a man who's just barely staying upright for how exhausted and weak he is. "We've got a good number of volunteers. Figuring out crash course training and supply allocations now."